Name Class Date

CHAPTER 1 The World of Physical Science

4 Tools, Measurement, and Safety

SECTION

BEFORE YOU READ

After you read this section, you should be able to answer
these questions:
• What tools do scientists use to make measurements?
• What is the International System of Units?
• How can you stay safe in science class?

What Kinds Of Tools Do Scientists Use?

A tool is anything that helps you do something. STUDY TIP
Scientists use many tools to help them make observa- Outline As you read,
tions and do experiments. Some tools are used to take underline the main ideas
in each paragraph. When
measurements. These include stopwatches, metersticks, you finish reading, make an
thermometers, balances, and spring scales. Making mea- outline of the section using
surements is one way that scientists gather data. the ideas you underlined.

You can use a You can use a

stopwatch to spring scale to
measure time. measure force.
TAKE A LOOK
1. Identify What tool can
you use to measure time?

Tools can also help you analyze the data you have col-
lected. A pencil and graph paper are tools that have been
used to graph data for years. A calculator is a tool that
can help you do calculations quickly. A graphing calculator
can show your data in a graph. A computer can display your
Critical Thinking
2. Predict Consequences
data in many ways. What might happen if sci-
entists in different countries
used different systems of
How Do Scientists Take Measurements? measurement?
Many years ago, scientists in different countries used
different systems of measurement. They needed a simple
measurement system that everyone could use. This would
help them share their data more easily.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

Interactive Textbook 19 The World of Physical Science
Name Class Date

SECTION 4 Tools, Measurement, and Safety continued

THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS

Over time, the metric system was set up. It is also
known as the International System of Units (SI). This
simple system was one that every country could use to
compare measurements. All of the SI units are written in
multiples of 10. This makes it easy to change from one
unit to another. Some of the units in the SI are shown in
READING CHECK the table below.
3. Explain Why is it easy to
Common SI Units
change from one SI unit to
another? Length meter (m)
kilometer (km) 1 km ! 1,000 m
decimeter (dm) 1 dm ! 0.1 m
centimeter (cm) 1 cm ! 0.01 m
millimeter (mm) 1 mm ! 0.001 m
micrometer (µm) 1 µm ! 0.000 001 m
nanometer (nm) 1 nm ! 0.000 000 001 m
Area square meter (m2)
square centimeter (cm2) 1 cm2 ! 0.0001 m2
Volume cubic meter (m3)
cubic centimeter (cm3) 1 cm3 ! 0.000 001 m3
liter (L) 1 L ! 1 dm3 ! 0.001 m3
milliliter (mL) 1 mL ! 0.001 L ! 1 cm3
Mass kilogram (kg)
Math Focus gram (g)
milligram (mg)
1 g ! 0.001 kg
1 mg ! 0.000 001 kg
4. Calculate How many
millimeters are in 50 km? Temperature Kelvin (K) 0°C ! 273 K
Celsius (°C) 100°C ! 373 K

LENGTH
The length of an Olympic-sized swimming pool is
measured in meters (m). A meter is the basic SI unit of
length. Other SI units of length are larger or smaller than
the meter by multiples of 10. For example, 1 millimeter
(mm) is one one-thousandth of a meter. That means that
if 1 m is divided into 1,000 equal parts, each part is 1 mm.

MASS
Mass is a measure of how much matter is in an object.
The kilogram (kg) is the basic SI unit for mass. The
kilogram is used to describe the mass of large objects,
such as people. Grams (g) are used to describe the mass
READING CHECK of smaller objects, such as apples. One kilogram equals
5. Define What is mass?
1,000 g.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

Interactive Textbook 20 The World of Physical Science
Name Class Date

SECTION 4 Tools, Measurement, and Safety continued

VOLUME
Volume is the amount of space that something fills. Liquid
volume is given in liters (L). A liter is based on the meter. One
cubic meter (1 m3) equals 1,000 L. Therefore, 1,000 L of liquid
will fit exactly into a box that is 1 m on each side. READING CHECK
You can find the volume of a box-shaped object by 6. Identify What units are
multiplying its length, width, and height together. The used to give the volume of
volume of a large solid is given in cubic meters (m3). The liquids?
volume of a small solid is given in cubic centimeters (cm3).
DENSITY
Density is a measure of how much matter is in a given
volume. You cannot measure density directly. It is known
as a derived quantity because you must calculate it from
other, known quantities. You can find the density of an
object using the following equation:
density ! mass " volume
TEMPERATURE
The temperature of a substance is the measurement
of how hot (or cold) it is. The kelvin (K, without a degree
sign) is the SI unit for temperature. Degrees Fahrenheit
(°F) and degrees Celsius (°C) are also used. READING CHECK
7. List Give three units
What Are Safety Rules? that are used to measure
Science is exciting and fun, but it can be dangerous. temperature.
There are many safety rules that you must follow when-
ever you do an experiment.
• Always listen to your teacher’s instructions.
• Don’t take shortcuts.
• Read lab directions carefully.
• Pay attention to safety information.
The safety symbols in the figure below are important.
Learn them so that you, and others, will be safe in the lab.
Safety Symbols

Eye Clothing Hand Heating Electrical

protection protection safety safety safety

Chemical Animal Sharp Plant

safety safety object safety

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

Interactive Textbook 21 The World of Physical Science
Name Class Date

Section 4 Review
SECTION VOCABULARY
density the ratio of the mass of a substance to temperature a measure of how hot (or cold)
the volume of the substance something is; specifically, a measure of the aver-
mass a measure of the amount of matter in an age kinetic energy of the particles in an object
object volume a measure of the size of a body or
region in three-dimensional space

1. Identify What are two tools that can be used to measure the length of an object?

2. Compare How is the mass of an object different from its density?

3. Calculate A ball falls from a height of 25 cm. What is the same distance described
in meters? Show your work.

4. Identify What unit is usually used to describe the volume of a liquid? A solid?

5. Calculate What is the volume of a box that is 3 m long, 0.5 m high, and 2 m wide?
Show your work.

6. Analyze What safety symbols would you expect to see for an experiment that
asks you to pour acid into a beaker? Give three possibilities.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

Interactive Textbook 22 The World of Physical Science